Blog # 23

How the classroom set up can influence a students learning

Introduction

            Many studies have been done in order to determine how the classroom set up can influence a students learning. I will be discussing the different ways a classroom can be set up that have an influence on student learning. Throughout my research I was able to conduct an interview with an elementary school teacher of a second grade classroom. The interview opened my eyes to a different way of a healthy classroom environment. The interview took a more philosophical turn when the teacher expressed how her upbeat emotional state has actually increased student learning, along with the way her classroom was set up. I also was able to analyze a research paper called “Teachers Evaluation of Student-Centered Learning Environments”. The research paper focused on classroom set up and student-centered learning which is being implemented into schools all over the world.  As my research continued I began to understand that it is not just the physical way a classroom is set up that influences student learning but it is also the emotional set up of a classroom that has an impact on student learning. These two factors are the main elements to providing students with the best possible environment to work in and having students learn to the best of their ability. Many educators are unaware of the impact that the physical and emotional environment has on their students. This leads me back to the main question, how does the way a classroom is set up influence a students learning? I am writing this paper to prove there is more to teaching then going over the curriculum. In order to become a better educator, you need to have an understanding of why and how the physical and emotional environment of the classroom influences student learning.

Literature Review

            One article that I decided to focus on for this particular study was “Teachers Evaluation of Student-Centered Learning Environments” written by Dr. Zuhal Cubukcu. This research paper focused on student-centered learning and how it influenced students learning. Zuhal firmly believes that “Learning is not only about knowledge making. Children need to be active learners within the context of culture, community, and past experiences”. This research shows that education is not what it was years ago, and many theorists have shared their knowledge about child development which is now being applied to the classroom.

“Since both students and teachers participate in learning process, teachers are perceived to be a member of teaching environment and students to be the persons whose individual learning needs should be addressed. Thus, teachers by using more recent teaching methods involve students in learning process more actively. This improves and expands teachers' roles, which in time contributes to team spirit and the culture of working together”. (Cubukcu 50)

           

In order to be an effective teacher one must understand how students learn. As a teacher it is important to understand how students learn to the best of their ability and how the emotional and physical set up of the classroom can influence their learning. Student-centered learning is a new way of setting up the classroom to ensure that each student is excelling with their education. This provides a unique environment for the students who are able to work with other students in their class. With student-centered learning the students are able to learn from one another, whether they are leading the group or getting extra assistance, each student is expected to excel and help assist their classmates with each activity provided by the teacher.


Methods:

            Throughout my research I was able to conduct an interview with an elementary school teacher in a second grade classroom. I asked the teacher to answer a few questions regarding her experience in the classroom as well as with changes that have been made to the reading program for her school. I was interested to see how a teacher who has been with the school for four years adjusts to changes make to the way her classroom should be set up.